How long until we leave? Davis ready for Brussels clash with Barnier as Brexit talks begin

How long until we leave? Davis ready for Brussels clash with Barnier as Brexit talks begin

DAVID Davis has been pictured outside Downing Street as he prepares to return to Brussels to reopen Brexit talks with his EU counterpart Michel Barnier, with negotiations now set to move on to discussions about Britain's future relationship with the bloc.

The Brexit Secretary was pictured heading into Number 10 for this week's Cabinet meeting before heading off to Belgium.

The first round of Phase Two talks are due to begin later today and come just hours after Michel Barnier travelled to London for a working lunch with his British counterpart, with both sides keen to gain a better insight into how the other team will approach the talks.

Speaking to reporters after the lunch, Mr Barnier told Britain "the time has come to make a choice" as he issued a major warning about "unavoidable" trade barriers if the UK quits the customs union.

He said: “Mrs May has asked to benefit from the single market and the customs union for a short period. The European Council has indicated its readiness to consider this request.

“The conditions are clear, very clear. Everyone has to play by the same rules.

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Brexit Secretary David Davis checks his watch as he prepares to head to Brussels

“We need clarity on the UK proposals for the future partnership. The only thing I can say, without customs union, and outside the single market, barriers to trade and good and services are unavoidable.

“Time has come to make choice.”

Mr Davis claimed the Government has made its Brexit aims “perfectly clear”.

AFP

David Davis heads into Downing Street for this week's Cabinet meeting

Barnier meets Davis in London ahead of crucial Brexit talks

Mon, February 5, 2018

Michel Barnier and David Davis head to Downing Street for crucial Brexit talks.

Michel Barnier and David Davis head to Downing Street for lunch meeting

He said: ”We have already published a great deal about our proposals, in terms of what the customs arrangements will be, what the other arrangements will be with respect to being outside the union.

“We have said in terms we want a comprehensive free trade agreement and we want a customs agreement and to make that as frictionless as possible, to make as much trade as currently exists as free as possible, while still giving ourselves the opportunity to make free trade deals with the rest of the world ... It is perfectly clear what we want to do.

Despite infighting among Tory MPs over how close Britain's future relationship with the EU should be, Downing Street reiterated on Sunday evening the UK will "categorically" leave the customs union.

European Commission officials are expected to adopt a draft text of a chapter of the withdrawal agreement on transition as early as today.

British and EU officials will continue transition discussion all this week, with Theresa May’s top aide Olly Robbins heading to Brussels on Friday to take stock.